PM Promises Jail for Returning Australian Jihadists

(AFP) Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday warned Australians fighting with extremist groups in the Middle East they face lengthy jail terms if they return home.

Australia has announced tougher counter-terrorism laws to target home-grown terrorists and those who fight overseas over fears violent jihadist citizens in Syria and Iraq will return home.

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A 22-year-old man was charged with planning a terrorist act.

The government said it had foiled a plot by Islamic State jihadists to carry out gruesome “demonstration executions” in Australia.

Abbott said 60 Australians were known to be fighting in Iraq and Syria, 20 had already returned to Australia while another 100 actively support the jihadists.

The government says current legislation is inadequate to fight the threats from groups such as the Islamic State and is pushing two bills through parliament this week.

Attorney-General George Brandis has drawn up a bill to give security agencies greater powers and another bill to deal with the threat from so-called “foreign fighters” returning from combat with extremists abroad.

Under the new powers, which are expected to have broad bi-partisan support, it will be illegal for an individual to intentionally counsel, promote, encourage or urge a terrorist act, Brandis said.

The bills will also allow for bans on visits to cities or regions where terror groups are declared to be active. People travelling to such “no-go areas” without a valid reason could face prosecution.

Abbott regretted that “for some time to come, Australians will have to endure more security than we’re used to, and more inconvenience than we’d like”.

The government has earmarked an additional Aus$630 million (US$563 million) to bolster security and stepped up protection at public places across the country, including parliament.

Canberra has also committed 600 troops and aircraft to the US-led coalition gearing up to destroy the IS organisation in Iraq.